Heaven or Hell is a State of Mind

Best-selling American author Dan Drown, in his latest novel Inferno, described Manila as the ‘gates of hell’—particularly emphasising “six-hour traffic jams, suffocating pollution, horrifying sex trade.”

Inevitably, this has earned a fury of backlash from patriotic Pinoys in defence of the Philippine capital city. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino, in an open letter to Brown, expressed his concern on the description, saying it failed to capture the good heart of the Filipino.

Netizens were likewise shaken. Even popular author Paolo Coehlo came in defence of the Philippines, tweeting “Dear Filipinos, your souls lead to the gates of heaven.”

Incidentally, incoming Mayor Erap Estrada used the dirty, derelict, polluted image of Manila in his election campaign ad — a patama to the incumbent government of Lim and earned him the mayoralty seat.

This brings to question: Why prosecute Brown? Because he is a best-selling author with a wide readership and we are afraid that the image of the Philippines will be tarnished among the global community? What do we think are we then — Paradise?

So why do we tolerate the same downbeat description in our films and celebrate their international recognitions? Sebis (Brillante Mendoza) Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (Lino Brocka), Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (Chris Martinez)!! Poverty Porn! (Lourd de Vera has its spot on.) Even our teleseryes are set in slums, and we consider it art. But art imitates life. In literature we call it realism — a movement that speaks of how works of literature, fiction in particular, tends to mirror social realities. But the truth hurts, especially if we have a huge EGO.

In Tagalog, we say, “Bago mo pansinin ang kapintasan ng iba, manalamin ka muna.” We are angered by how we are described in a best-selling book, but we were damn proud how Bourne Legacy portrayed our slums, only with a consolation of a beautiful Puerto Princesa in the closing credits.

We can be proud about the Philippines, and we should be. We are in all ways a beautiful nation. That is a fact! But we have flaws, we must accept them also because they are real. And maybe Brown thought our flaws were a good material. That is, to turn something unsightly into the level of a literary masterpiece, a possible part of history: Art is not always the puffy clouds and serene seas.

Maybe this part also scared us — that many will look at us in a bad light. But who knows they (foreign eyes) become more curious about the Philippine and go visit? Bad publicity is still publicity.   

When they come, the more that we need to prove ourselves and what beauty there is in our beloved nation. This is the challenge: to change our negative reputation not by changing other’s perspective but ours. We can prove them wrong only if we want to. As they say, reputation is what others think about us and integrity is what we really are.

After all, whether we are in hell or in heaven is our choice, our own  a state of mind.

Fish Started it All

The Philppines is a small bangus up against whales: Then it was China and now it's Taiwan.

What happened? A Taiwanese fisherman, who allegedly crossed Philippine seas, was shot dead by Philippine Navy officials. Patriotism flamed up in Taiwan. (this article gives meaty insight http://asiancorrespondent.com/108038/philippines-taiwan-fisherman-dispute/) 

Does this mean animosity? But how can a third world country, whose economy relies much on the investments from its looming 'enemies' even stage a fight? Can the government afford to raise a red flag knowing that thousands of OFWs are exhausting blood and sweat in Taiwan- a main contibutor that makes the economy somehow afloat?

But we cannot discount the fact that small as we are, we have the power to fight for what rights we have as a nation, especially to safeguard our territories and our people. The officials, perhaps fulfiling the duties they have sworn into, were only acting as sentinels of the seas. After all, we ahve been bullied for so long.  

Diplomacy should have been an easy way to go about these things. But Taiwan wouldn't make it easy. Apologies were sent, and denied. One life is lost- does it need to be a tooth for a tooth?

Anyhow, the OFWs are at the most critical of sides and we wouldn't afford any great damages.

There are tons of fish in the oceans, but sometimes boats are sailing in different waves. In any case, meeting halfway spares us all of the heartbreak.    

  
 

Democracy is purple-colored word

Once in every few years, democracy means a purple manicure.

 

Suffrage is both a right and a privilege. It is a right because as Filipinos, we are entitled to choose leaders that we think would best lead the country to progress. On the other hand, not every Filipino is given the privilege to vote, say the children who will actually soon become either beneficiaries of refugees of our choices. Hence, the voting population must, cliché as it may sound, vote wisely. After all, we are registered because of the assumption that we are capable of discerning and making good choices.

The 2013 Midterm Elections is over. The die is cast. The political cockfights and mud-slinging should also be buried to peace. The people have given its mandate to the winners. The losers should concede.

 A few notes.

*The PNP has called the Elections “generally peaceful” with very few and minor incidents reported.

*Voting turn-out for the OAV (Overseas Absentee Voting) was low at around 20% in some areas. It is sad that, the OFWs who support our economy cannot exercise their rights, not because they are deprived but because it is materially difficult to travel miles to the embassies and cast. It could be time to harness technology, experts say.

*By a major surprise, FPJ’s Daughter Grace Poe emerged as Senatorial topnotcher in the still ongoing canvassing — topping out survey leader Legarda. Interviewed by media, Poe attributed about 80 to 90% of her victory to her late father. Aptly, her run and win was an attempt to vindicate FPJ’s loss in 2004. Credit is given to where it is due.

*At least 9 of the Magic 12 Senators are from Team PNoy, with Nancy Binay settling for a sure spot and her stable-mates battling for seats 10 to 12.

*Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao, Aga Muhlach, Vilma Santos, other celebrities won in their respective positions. But Anabelle Rama didn't make it.

*Former President Erap is the new Mayor of Manila, replacing friend-turned-foe Fred Lim.

*Meanwhile, let us enjoy memes that circulated on social media. Just for the laughs. The #IpasoksiDick hashtag trended on Twitter, followed by several double-meaning twits about the Senatorial aspirant who was at an awful 13^th position based on partial results.

*Another meme showing Sen. Santiago supposedly getting a headache over the triumph of soon-to-be senator Nancy Binay. Netizens are definitely not a fan of Binay's color.

By now, the dust of the political boxing is starting to clear out. Rubbish is everywhere. The candidates, winners or otherwise, should prove their good promises and start by cleaning our streets. That should be a good start. Otherwise, what will the next three years be?

Everybody is excited about next Monday because it will be a non-working holiday and we can splurge into some summer activities before summer ends.

But why is it a holiday anyway? It’s the polls— the time when schools become precincts where we name, through a sacred ritual called election, who will our next leaders be. In other words, we decide for our future.

The process is simple—shading names in a ballot, dropping it in the infamous PCOS machine and leaving without worrying about tomorrow. All this seems so easy as if it’s like choosing which channel to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But the repercussions are serious and bold!

However, we would rather go watch Goin’ Bulilit than worry. We cannot blame ourselves for not taking the elections like it’s between life and death. Maybe we did at first, but we grew tired of hoping and waiting for change— the same thing we always hear when a new one comes out. We have put our bets on these kinds of people and hoped, they were gleaming with great promises but someday so soon, the system erased all of those.

It’s the system. As they say, once you join them, you be like them. Of course, this is a hasty generalisation and an insensitive observation. But this is the common notion and a fact to be told. The Philippine Trust Index, in fact, found that only 15 percent of Filipinos trust the government.

To be fair, there are surely good leaders out there. But how do we name them? Or more appropriately, how do we know an apple from an orange or a duhat? Which leads me to asking, what qualities of a leader do we need?

Enter campaign jingles and ads! Do we believe in the candidates’ supposed credentials and achievements? Do we take them seriously or do we just enjoy the gimmicks, the songs, the endorsers who are paid? But these ploys work for the candidates— so we’ll recall their names come Election Day.

Enter what money can do. Vote-buying is a reality even the Graders know about and see in broad daylight. Politics is business so entrants need to invest and at a later time, reap results. If only we would be so wise not to vote for those that insult our dignity. Sadly, some votes are so cheap.

We are told to vote wisely, but at the end of it all, we vote with our conscience and wait if anything happens. This sound hopeless, can’t help it.